







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| It seems there is no one in the house! | |
| I'm on my way to Brighton, nearly there! | |
| Do you have any relatives in London? | |
| Good thanks, I'm fine, too. | |
| Why? What's wrong? | |
| Sorry, look, here is the station. | |
| Anyway, my lesson is starting now, I have to go. | |
| Um.. it could be blue, I don't really remember. | |
| No, I'm not lying! I never lie. | |
| I feel hungry, too. | |
| There is nothing much left to do, there are only bits and pieces. | |
| I think you wake me up more often than mosquitoes do! | |
| I think 4000 quid is big enough. | |
| Don't worry, I don't like having a very heavy breakfast. | |
| Okay, we have all the things we need, then. | |
| Yes, she is coming back, but isn't it what I always do? | |
| I hate taking long flights! | |
| I think that *hand caught on fire* thing is a joke! | |
| I think I did, too, but I've got a really bad headache! | |
| There is a little market near the school. | |